Electrical sterilizing apparatus



Nov. 14, 1933. K. E. GOLDEN 3 ELECTRICAL STERILIZ ING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1931 atenteed Nov. 14, E933 1,934,703 ELECTRKCAL s'rsnnimnc APPARATUS Kenneth E. Golden, Spokane, Wash, assignor to Bay-dio-Ray Corporation, Spokane, Wash.

Application April 29, 1931.

(Cl. l75--3l1) 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved electrical sterilizing apparatus designed especial for the treatment of liquida'such as milk, and semi fluid or semi-liquid materials such as preerved fruits, vegetables, and similar food products during the, canning or preserving process. This treatment of the semi-liquids, or liquids, with the apparatus of my invention insures sterilization with the accompanying destruction of bacteria, and by rendering sterile the liquid or semilicuid materials, subsequent propagation of bacteria is eliminated.

In carrying out my invention I employ a con tainer for the liquid, and one of the electrodes of the apparatus is immersed in the liquid of the container, while one or more electrodes or fiux concentrators are located in proper position erterior of the container, to insure the flow or pas sage of an electro-static flux between the electrodes, and which is disseminated or diffused through the contents of the container for sterilization purposes.

The invention consists in certain novel comcinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be more fully set forth and claimed. In the accompan ing drawing I have illustrated two examples of the physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are combined and arranged according to my invention, but it will be understood that changes and alterations may be made within the scope of my claims without de parting from the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing an apparatus for the treatment of bulk liquids, or

m liquids in large quantities, according to my invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the apparatus of Figure 1, also showing diagrammatically the electrical connections for the apparatus.

46 Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the apparatus employed in the treatment of small quantities of liquid, with an electrical diagram therefor.

In the exemplification of the invention in Figures l and 2 where the material is treated in bulk or large quantities, I employ a container 1, fashioned of glass, or similar dielectric material which will transmit the electrical energy or force, but

without conduction. The vessel or container 1 is shown as open at the top, but it may be closed if desired or required. I

Within the container is located an electrode 2 that is suspended from a suitable support, and

adjustable with relation to the cont-a that. the electrode may be dispose-i Serial No. 533,864

depths in the container. In the form of 'the invention in Figures 1 and 2 the electrode is shown in the shape of a coil for the purpose of incurring a maximum area of exposure to the direct contact of the surrounding liquid in which the electrode is submerged or immersed. The electrode is preferably fashioned of silver coated Wire, or other stainless metal suitable for the purpose, that will resist corrosion and which may readily be cleansed to insure sanitary conditions,

An electrical lead-wire or conductor 3 is con nected with the electrode, and, as shown in' Figure 2, this wire is connected to the secondary winding S of a high frequency coil or transformer, to which is connected the mainwire A to the source of electrical supply.

At the exterior of the container are located two opposed electrodes or flux concentrators 4 and 5 disposed at opposite sides of the container 1, and these concentrators are adjustable toward and away from the container to resonate with the difierent degrees of intensity of the electrical discharges between the pair of concentrators and the single immersed or submerged interior electrode 2.

The two concentrators 4 and 5 are connected together by an adjustable conductor 6 at one end of the container, and this conductor is connected by wire 7 at the low voltage point 8 with the primary coil P of the transformer, to which is also connected the power wire C from a source of high frequency current.

in Figure 3 the apparatus is illustrated for the treatmentof smaller, or individual quantities of liquid, as for instance the milk contained in a glass milk bottle or container. Such an individual container is indicated by the glass tube 9 in which a spiral shaped electrode 10 is suspended, with its a The complementary flux condenser or concen-- trator 11 is located below the tube or container, and the electro-static flux generated between the electrode 10 and the concentrator is indicated by the dotted lines.

"in Figure 2 the movement of the electro-static flux is indicated by the dotted lines between the flux concentrators 4 and 5, and the flux passes through the dielectric walls of the container as well asthrough the contents of the container. In the diagram, Figure 2, assuming the high frequency electrical energy at a voltage of say approximately llO is supplied from the wires A C to the transformer, having the secondary circuit primary circuit 7, and the electrical energy may thus pass through the secondary circuit to the electrode and return through the concentrators 4 and 5 and the conductor or connection 6, by way of the primary circuit to the low voltage point 8 of the transformer, thus supplying the energy for sterilizing the contents of the container.

Thus, in actual practice, and utilization of the apparatus of my invention, I find that an electrostatic flux is produced for the destruction of bacteria, which bacteria, like other materials, have a fundamental point of vibration, or point of resonance, with the electrical energy. The fre- -quency of the oscillation of the energy is approx- I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:--'

1. An apparatus for electrically sterilizing liquids comprising a dielectric container and an electrode therein, a complementary flux-concentrator exterior of the container, a source of electrical energy, and connections between said electrode and source and between the concentrator and source.

2. An apparatus for sterilizing liquids comprising a dielectric container and an electrode therein, a pair of opposed flux-concentrators exterior of the container, a source of electrical en,- ergy, connections between said electrode and source, and between the concentrators and said source.

3. An apparatus for sterilizing liquids comprising a dielectric container and an electrode therein, a pair of opposed flux-concentrators exterior of the container and a secondary circuit, a transformer for high frequency electrical currents in said circuit, and. a primary circuit connected with a suitable source of supply.

- KENNETH E. GOLDEN. 

